We start today's top-tier tobacco discussion by offering up a fistful of disclaimers. 

1. This is somewhat of an experimental cigar review of Oktoberfest 2023 by Quesada. The review was conducted more than a year after smoking the blend for the first time at PCA 2023.

2. I recently revisited this 2023 vintage after 9 months of additional aging, and only then did I deem it ready for review.

3. Here at Klaro, we stock the "Das Boot" torpedo vitola. The robusto pictured in this review was what was handed to me at PCA 2023 by Mr. Manuel Quesada himself. 

4. This limited-run blend is only available as an annual release, and first made its debut in 2011.

5. Quesada Cigars has relied upon a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and all Dominican binder and filler ingredients for four years in a row now, with the 2023 vintage being the third consecutive incarnation.

6. This is arguably the most beer-centric cigar on the planet and is crafted to taste like a salty German rye pretzel.

7. We are genuinely thrilled that we didn't sell out of this blend last year when it made its debut, and you are about to see why. 

[Buy 5-Pack]

Unlit Impressions 

The bands on this cigar may be a bit traditional looking to some, but last we checked Oktoberfest was about as traditional as it gets when it comes to German festivities. So just embrace the gimmicky, overdone branding and know that you have the most appropriate stogie on the planet clenched between your teeth while you wait in line for your liter of Märzenbier.

Those of you who are wondering about the wrapper on this blend will likely be surprised that outside a touch of bitterness, it does not smell very chocolatey or coffee-like in any way. This is more of an earthy, malty, spiced bread-like smelling specimen, and outside of its mottling and rougher aesthetics, it is a nicely oiled Mexican wrapper.

Squeeze that tightly filled barrel and snort the foot, and you will be overcome with spiced rye and salty pretzel dough. There's a bit of sourdough starter yeastiness to be had, and definitely a dash of black pepper and pumpernickel, along with some faint baking herbal undertones. 

Initial Smoke 

Black pepper bludgeoning with a side of leather belt spankings anyone? There hasn't been a single one of these sticks that I've smoked that hasn't hit hard with these two tastes (and their respective intensities) at light. It's doughy and delicious down under it all, but you've got to wait for things to calm down before getting to all that jazz. 

1st Half   

As things simmer down, and the leather and pepper notes take a break from their frontal assault, a malty sweetness starts to expand its omnipresence within each passing puff. It starts with rich German Dunkel beer flavors, but as things combust that becomes more spelt bread-centric than fermented brew. This continues all the way past the transition into the second third, where the cigar's smoke starts to grow progressively drier on you and mildly herbal. 

Breadiness being the primary cigar flavor profile within much of this blend, the transition from a maltier, molasses-spelt beer bread base to one of spicier rye bread demands some attention. Not because of the transition's presence, or said flavor profiles, but in that I observed these shifts at different times in all of the cigars smoked. So despite being undeniably delicious, there are definitely some inconsistencies within the blend in its delivery and timing. 

Body and strength are medium throughout the first half though, with the cigar flavor profile being a bit more on the full side. The draw remains fantastic, and so too does the smoke pulled forth from the cigar, which is rich without being too heavy or oily feeling.  

2nd Half 

 

Those rye bread tastes and touches of sourdough may not be all too notable for the first hour or so, but they sure do maintain their dominance over much of the second half of the cigar. Pumpernickel and mixed peppercorns, slivers of felled and dried oak, and a saltiness that makes you thirst deeply for a beer make this the best part of the blend. 

Dry woody notes and those pumpernickel tastes pop out the more you retrohale, and after a while, you might start feeling a bit of a nicotine buzz. This soon forms a drying sensation on the tongue, which maintains all of the flavor, as well as some of the sweetness of the blend, and then makes you thirsty for more beer.

Parting Puffs 

Bread-based backbones and broad shoulders bursting with dark fermented magic make the last section of this stick an intense yet super tasty time. Oak tannins and cedar shine at times, then disappear behind a veil of spicy peppercorns and whole grain, only to emerge again in the next draw.

Touch-and-go at times when it comes to cleanliness, this is where those who can handle some intense flavors and a bit of gritty coffee bitterness from that heavily fermented wrapper will be wishing for more.

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Spectacular smoking pleasure right here peeps. At least when it comes to everything outside of the tunneling issues encountered in two of the cigars smoked. The ash is ideal in every way, as is the burn line, and so too is the smoke itself and the draw. I didn't find a single one of these sticks burning hot on me either, so props to Quesada for constructing such a stellar seasonal blend. 

Final Thoughts  

This blend does indeed taste better, and far more balanced than it did last year. The roughness of the smoke is pretty much gone in the center section of the barrel, and the maltiness is more pronounced, making the saltiness of the stick less intense tasting. Sweet and salty, doughy and herbal, and dry and spicy enough to keep you reaching for that stein, Quesada's Oktoberfest is a more-than-appropriate beer pairing cigar. 

While the 2023 vintage does score lower than I would like, much of that has to do with the tunneling problems I encountered in multiple sticks and the rough start to three of the four cigars. Issues with inconsistencies within each stick and the delivery of flavors at certain points also caused me to dock points. There's also still some sharpness sitting within this blend, even after a year of aging, with a random metallic-tasting astringency being the most notable at times.

Fortunately, these faults are few and fleeting and do not tarnish the overall Oktoberfest experience. This leaves ample room for all of the good points within the blend to shine and make that liter of suds in your hand taste all the better.

Flavor, Aroma & Transitions

Depth & Complexity

Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal

Backstory & Branding

Overall Balance & Repeatability

Stogie Specs

Cigar	Quesada Cigars "Oktoberfest 2023 Edition"
Wrapper	San Andrés (Mexico)
Binder	Dominican Republic
Filler	Dominican Republic
Factory	Dominican Republic
Size	52 x 5½ "Robusto"
Strength	Medium
Pairing Drink	Yebisu German-Style Lager
Rating	4.2/5